Apparatus for making fastening devices



L. H. M'ORIN APPARATUS FOR MAKING FASTENING DEVICES 4 Shets-Sheet 1 Nov; 2 6, 1929.

#Filed Oct. 1926 INVENTOR' 021N40 ATTORN Louis lyar z n Nov. 26, 1929." VL.'H. MORIN 1,737,261

APPARATUS FOR MAKING FASTENING DEVICES Filed Oct. 7. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A'ITORN v Nov. 26, 1929. L. H. MORIN 1,737,261

' APPARATUS FOR MAKING FASTENING DEVICES Filed oci; 7, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 1,. INVENTOR his /7.' 02a ATTORNE Nov. 26, 1929. HM I 1,737,261

APPARATUS FOR MAKING FASTENING DEVICES Filed Oct. 7, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 V, I l

Patented Nov. :26, 192$ hearse stares rarest ea s LOUIS E. MORIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 CAMBRIDGE RUBBER COMPANY, GE CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, A. CORPORATIQN OF MASSACHUSETTS APPARATUS FOR MAKING FASTENING DEVICES Application filed October 7, 1926. Serial No. 140,005.

This invention relates to fastening devices comprising stringers, each containing a plurality of links so fashioned that the separate stringers are adapted to be coupled together when the links thereof are interlocked, and particularly to a method and apparatus for manufacturing devices of this class, and particularly devices similar to that shown, dc

' pieces to said strand to form of said work- 1 mounting strand from the machine; a still device; a further object being to provide a pieces, link members having loop portions which project radially from said mounting r strand; a further object being to provide. a

machine of the class specified with means whereby the several link members may be arranged on the mounting strand in juxtaposition or abutting relation, and further whereby the operation of the mandrel and feed screw will discharge the links and further object being to provide means for rendering the wire feed inoperative for a predetermined period of time, to provide on the stringers formed, blank spaces or in other Words, spaces where the links are not secured to the mounting strand, the strand serving I "crimping aw, two of which are employed.

merely to couple the stringers together to facilitate further production of the complete machine of the class and for the purpose specified, in which the several mechanisms for producing the fastening device or the'string ers thereof are actuated through a plurality of cams mounted upon a ower driven shaft, thus producing positive lnctioning of'said mechanisms; a further object belng to pro vide means whereby the-number of links contained' in the respective groups on the mount ing strand may be governed, as well as the spaces between said groups; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consets in an apparatus of the'class and for the purpose specified, which is simple, compact and strong and durable in construction, positive and fool-proof in operation, and which is constructed and operated as hereinafter described, and further to the construction of devices of the class referred to in accordance with themethod hereinafter more fully set out.

The invention is fully disclosed in the followlng specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which 2 Fig. 1 is a front view of a machine made according to my invention, with parts of the construction broken'awayand in section.

Fig. l is a detail view of a part of the construction shown in Fig. 1. A i

' F 2 is a side view of the, machine seen in Fig. 1, with part of the construction omitted.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine, with parts of the construction broken away and in section. I

of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5-is a view similar to Fig. 1, and show-- ing only a part of the machine on an enlarged scale, and with part of the construction broken away and in section.

Fig. 6 is a partial section on the line 56 of Fig. 5.

Fig.

7 is a perspective detail? view of a a mounting strand; and,

Fig. 18 1s a. horlzontal, sectional view-dia grammatically illustrating the arrangement of parts seen in Fig. 10 of the drawing.

In .Fig. 1 of the drawing, I have shown I device in question, and securing the same to Fig. 4 is a partial sectionfon the line 44 80 bers 20.

chain 20 is passed, said belt,or chain passing around another pulley 20 on a shaft 2O supported in the frame member 20. One end of said shaft projects through the frame member and is provided with a pulley 20. A belt 21 7 passes around the pulley 2O and a pulley 21 v of which, said shaft may is freely mounted upon a driven shaft 22 of the machine, the pulley 21 being coupled with the shaft through a clutch 21 operated by a hand lever 21 clearlyseen in Fig. 3 of they drawing. A hand lever 22 is secured to the shaft 22 outwardly of the ulley 21*, by means l e rotated whenever desired and especially in making adjustments on the several parts of the machine.

' The driven shaft 22 is mounted in two I bearings 22? and 22 on the table 20 of the machine, and other bearings 22 'and 22 are employed forsupporting other shafts, later described. The shaft 22 extends transversely of the machine and secured thereto is a plu-v rality of cams for actuating the several parts or mechanism of the machine, said cams be? ing designated by the reference numerals 23, -24, 25 25 26 (noteFig. 6), 27, 28, 29 and 30, it being noted that the cams 25-25 constitute one body having diflerent cam faces on the opposite sides thereof. i I

The wire 31from a spool or other source of supply, in entering the machine, firstpasses through two sets of straightening rollers 31 and 31 arranged in diflerent planes, then through an adjustable tension device 31 and into and through a wire feed 32 comprising a lever 33, a slide plate 34 slidably mounted in and keyed to a frame plate 22 extending between and secured to the front faces of the bearings 22 and 22. Se-

cured to the slide plate 34 is a supplemental plate 34", the lever 33 being pivoted to and between the plates 3434 as seen at 32.

The short end of the lever 33 has a jaw piece 33 movable relatively to. a fixed jaw piece 34 on the plate 34 to clamp and firmly grip the wire 31 in the movement'of the slide from .right to left in the feed of said wire. The wire also passes through an aperture in a fixed pin 34 secured to the plate 34. A screw 34 aids in securing the plate 34 to the slide 34, and supported between the plate and the slide is a rectangular block 34 in connection with which 'a pawl portion 33 on the lever 33 operates.

Pivotally coupled with the lever 33 is a rod 35 which extends to the right and is pivoted to arocker arm-35 mounted in a block 35" 28 serves to impart movement to the lever 33 and the carriage 34 to advance the wire 31 into the machine, it being understood that in the movement of the rod 35 to the rightf the jaws 3334 areopened and the feed device passes freely over the wire 31.

The free end of the lever 33' is provided wlth an anti-friction roller 33 which is adapted to pass over a shoe 36 when moved into the path of the roller 33 to hold the jaw chine. Themovement ofthe shoe 36 is controlled by employing a plurality of blocks 36 on the links of a chain 36 which passes around a sprocket 36 secured to the shaft 37, geared to the shaft 22 through a chain of gears 37, 37, 37 and 37 'The shoe 36 is mounted on a slide rod 36 having a roller 36'at its inner end in connection with which the blocks 36 operate. A spring 36 is employed to normally hold said rod and the shoe 36in inoperative position, but the same is moved into position to engage-the roller 33 when the blocks 36engage the roller 36 and move the shoe 36 outwardly. X I,

The shaft 37-is supported in a U-shaped bearing plate 38,- and the rod 36 is supported in guide blocks 38 and 38, the latter being clearly seen in Fig. 4 of the drawing. It will also be noted that the chain 36 is passed.

on the mounting strand employed, while the number of blocks 36 will govern the length I of the space between the devices on said strand.

In feeding the wire 31 into the machine, the end portion thereof passes between two sets of pins 3939, 40 40 mounted in oscilgroups of fastening lot) latory members 40 and 40 respectively, the

pins 40 and 40 being 'movable with said members, while the pins.39 and 39 are mounted in the axis of said members and are movable longitudinally-thereof. Thewire31 is guided into position between the pins through a threaded sleeve 41 mounted in a block 41 secured to the plate 22 When the wire is in position, a cutter blade or shearing tool 42 is moved upwardly and transversely across i the wire, to shear off a workpiece, the blade being supported between the plate 22 anda plate 43 secured thereto. The lower end of the blade 42 carries a plate 42 adjustably supported on a block 42 movable vertically on two rods 42, the block 42 carrying a roller 42 which operates in the groove of merger the cam employed for imparting movement to the shear-off tool or blade 42.

At one side of the blade 42 is a forming tool 44 which moves upwardly withthe blade 42 in the shearing operation, a predetermined degree, sutlicient to engage the wire to hold the workpiece cut therefrom in position as seen in Fig. 11 of the drawing. The tool 44.

as to bend the wire workpiece around a mandrel and feed screw "as later described.

The tool 44 has three distlnct upward movements from the normal poslt-lon'of the tool seen in Fig. 10 of the drawing, the first movement being illustrated in. Fig. 11, the second in Fig. 12, and the last in Fig. 13, and from the position shown in 13, 1t returns to the position shown in Fig. 10.

After the tool 44 has been raisedito the position shown in Fig. 11, the end portions of the wire workpiece are fashioned to form open loops 31, which result is accomphshed by the partial rotation of the oscillatory members 40 and 40 to move the pins 40' and 40 laterally and circumferentially with reference'to the pins 3939 from the positions shown in Figs. 10 and 11 to that seen in Fig. 12. The members 40 and 40? are provided at their inner ends with gears 46-46 which mesh with a vertically slidable rack 46 supported in connection with the plate 22. A

'rocker arm'46 is coupled with the upper end of the rack and mounted upon a shaft 46 said shaft being supported in thebeari'ngs 22, 22 and 222 A lever 46 is secured to said shaft adjacent the bearing 22 with which lever, a link 46 is coupled, and carries a roller engaging the groove of the cam 29,

note Fig. 1, to impart reciprocating movement to said shaft 46 to raise and lower the rack 46. The raising of said rack causes the members 40 and 40 to rotate a partialrevolution, forming the loops 31 as above stated; In this operation of forming said loops, the

' tool 44 has been. raised slightly to bring the workpiece into engagement with the lower face of the mandrel and feed screw 45, and into one of the grooves between the threads of said screw. 4

For a short period of time, the tool 44 remains in the position seen in Fig. 12, and the pins 39 and 39* are moved backwardly or withdrawn from the face of the members 40* and 40, and at the same time, the pins 40 and 40 are partially returned to their normal posit-ion, after which the tool 44 ad- -end of the wire fed into the machine.

vances upwardly around the mandrel 45 to form, centrally of the workpiece, a large loop 31 as seen in Fig. 13.

The above described operation of withdrawing the pins 39, 39" accomplished by the action of the cam 26 upon a roller 4.7

supported in a slidable block 47 in connection with the upper end of which the two pins 39-39 arc supported, the block 47 being normally held outwardly by a spring 47 arranged in a tubular portion of said shown in Fig. 13 of the drawing. After the workpiece has been completely formed, and the tool 44 lowered into its normal position, said pins are again projected to receive tlie i; will also. be noted that when the workpiece is in the position shown in Fig, 13 of the drawing, the small loops 31 are arranged at the opposite sides of a mounting strand 48 which may be composed of any suitable flexible material taken from a spool 48 seen in Fig. 2 of the drawing, and passed around a tension device 48 forwardly through a guide loop 48 on the plate 47 and through an aperture in a bearing block 49 supported in 40 and 40 are mounted, as well as the mandrel 45. The strand is arranged just above the mandrel 45 and in axial alinement therewith. so that when the small loops and end portions of the workpiece are crimped together, the strand 48 will enter said loops and the loops will encircle said strand.

The next or crimping operation above re ferred to is accomplished by two similar crimping jaws 50, movable toward each other at a point between the mandrel and the strand A pin 47 the plate 22, in which block, the members 48, and just above the mandrel to complete the formation of the loop 31. The edges of the jaws 50 are preferably provided with notches as seen in Fig. 7 of the drawing to receive and definitely space the WIlG Of the workpiece and to retain the. small loops side by side and in abutting relation when inounting the same on the strand 48. Each jaw 50 has an enlarged body 50 to which it is secured, said body being supported and guided in and between-the plate22 and a plate 51 secured to the plate 22 Rocker arms 52 are, pivoted between said plates as seen at 52*, and have intermeshing segmental gear faces 52 whereby the movement of one rocker arm will correspondingly move the other arm, and said arms have ball ends 52 operating sockets 50" in the bodies 50 I The body, t asseen to the left in'Figs. 1

I slida-bly mounted upon 'a rod 50 supported,

and'5 of the drawing, has an extension 50 in the bearings 22" and 22, and which carries aroller operating in the groove of 'the 'am 24 as seen in Fig. 1 of .the drawmg.

' From the foregoing, it will be seen that when the jaw 50 at the left of the drawing is moved projecting lever to the right, the otherljaw is moved to the left to bring said jaws together, performing the crimping operation seen in Fig. 14 of the drawing. The first crimping operation is not complete, and in the cycle of operation of the machine, a finished crimping operation is performed to fixedly secure the small loops 31 on the mounting strand 48 as seen in Fig..

16 of the drawing.

Intermediate the two crimping operations, a vertical punch tool 53 moved dmvnwardly, and the recess 53" in said tool passes over the small loops 31 and firmly compacts and compresses said loops on the mounting strand 48. The tool 53 is mounted in and between the plates 22 and 51 and is guided thereby, and the upper end of said tool ism'ounted in a yoke-shaped rocker 53' mounted upon a shaft tiff supported in the bearings 22 322 and 22". At one side of the rocker '53" is a 53 with which is pivoted a link 54 the free endof which carries a roller 54 which operates in the groove of the cam 25. Vith this construction, the rocker 53* is oscillated to impart vertical movement to the tool 53for the purpose above stated.

, After the last crimping operation, above referred to, has been performed, the mandrel 45 is rotated sufficiently to feed the complete link designatedas 55 outwardly, and to correspondingly feed the mounting strand 48 outwardly to allow for the formation of another link in abutting relation to the first named link, it being understood that the two small loops of the we completed link are arranged on the mounting strand, while the;

one large loop projects radially therefrom. As previously stated, the mandrel 45 is supported in the block 49, and the same extends backwardly and )asses through the block 47 and is coupled witha chuck 56 supported on a, shaft 56 having at'its mner end a bevelcd pinion 57 which meshes with a beveled gear 57 mounted upon a shaft 58 supported in the bearings 22 and 22". v

Secured to the shaft 58 where it projects through the bearing 22 is a gear 59 having a clutch face whereby a spring pressed clutch collar 60, keyed to the shaft 58, will rotate said shaft when the gear 59 is rotated in one direction, and will remain stationaryto move outwardly when Sill d gear is rotated in the opposite direction. A rack 61 1s 1n OPGIa'tIVG connected with the gear 59, saidrack being provided with an enlarged head ()1 through which the shaft 22 1')as,ses,the head being in the form of a yoke carrying a roller filbwlnch opsupport the teeth of the rack in least one of the two stringers to eratcs in the groove of the cam 30', note Fig. 3- of the drawing; The other end of the rack 61 ,is provided with an elongated aperture inconnccti0n with which a pin 62 operates to engagement with the gear 59, the pin 62 being mounted upon the hearing 22, note Fig. 2 of the drawing. It will be apparent that the inward or backward movement of the rack 61 will cause the mandrel to be operated through the gears 57 and-57, and the forward movement of said rack will retain the mandrel inrfixed position, the clutch 60 moving outwardly against the tension of the clutch spring 60*. It will also be understood that the threads of the feed screw or mandrel 45 will govern the PltClIIOI' angulararrangement of the large loops of the'links 55. The direction of the pitch maybe varied by using n'iandrels having oppositely arranged threads, or in other words, left and right handed threads may be employed.

The formation of the separate links as above described, relates to links in which the large loops are straight or unkinked. In devices of the class underconsideration, at. be coupled together must be composed of links having Linked or ofi'set. portions to interlock with the other or plain links. In the formation of the stringers, wherein the links are provided with kinked or offset portions,-I pro-.

vide a punch 63 having a V-shaped end 63 ing. The punch 63 is slidably mounted in a bldck (35 secured to the plate 43, said punch having .a rack (36 on its under face for engagement with a gear; ()7 mounted upon a shaft, 68 supported in the block 65, and the bearing 22". Secured to the shaft 68 adjacent the bearing 22 is a rocker arm (39 having a link 70 pivoted thereto, the link 70 carrying a roller engaging the groove of the eam'23 whereby the shaft 68 is given rotary, oscillatory movement inthe cycle of operation of the machine to advance the punch 63, to form the kink in the workpiece prior to the formation of the small and large loops therein.

It will be understood that when the plain or unkinked link is formed, the punch including its supports, is removed from the machine and replaced whenever it is desired A workpiece supporting guide 71 is supported inconnection with the table 20 of the scription when machine in front of the block 65, said guide having a channeled arc-shaped face 7'2 in which the stringers. coupled by the mounting strand, are placed, and over which said stringers pass in the operation of the machine, it being understood that a large number of link section; which will constitute independent stringers in the production of the devices in question, are made and collected in abasket or other container positioned beneath the guide 71, and on the floor or other surface, it being understood that the separate sections of links are severed one from the other by cuttin the mounting strand at the spaces .x on saidstrand. It will also be under stood that the links are fed outwardlythrough the machine by the feed screw or mandrel in the intermittent rotary movement imparted thereto.

The operation of my readily understood from the foregoing detaken in connectionwith the accon'ipanying statement. In the cycle of operation, the wire is first fed into and between the pins in the members 4O and-40? with the parts in the position seen in Fig. 10 of the drawing, the

cams" cooperatin with the parts being dia grammatically illustrated. The next operation cons sts in cuttlng off a portion of the wire to form a workpiece and to brmg the forming tool 44 into engagement with the workpiece to retain it agamst accidental displacementfrom said pins, at punch 1s kink is desired, and this position of the parts issecn in Fig. 11 of the drawing. The next step consists in raising the tool 44 and rotat ing the members 40 and 40 to form the'small loops 31 at the ends of the workpiece, and further to bring the central part of the workpiece into engagement with the mandrel 45, this position of the parts being seen in F1g12 of the drawing. In the next step of the cycle 1 1 of operation the forming tool 44 advances still further upwardly and wraps the wire around ing strand 48 "the mandrel to form the large loop 31 and to bring the small loops 31 in alignment with the mounting strand 48 as seen 1n Fig. 13 of the drawing. The crimping jaws 50 are then advanced to partially crimp the workpiece around the mandrel and the small loops 31 around the strand 48 asseen in Fig. 14. The

- punch 53 is then brought downwardly to securely force the loops 31 onto the *mountas seen. in Fig. 15, after which the crimping jaws 50 are again brought into engagement with the workpiece to firmly crimp the same intermediate the large loop and the small loops on the strand, thus fixedly retaining the links to the strand, which pperation is indicated in Fig, 16 ofthe draw mg.

The last operation in thecycle consists in feeding or'advancing the fpr-med link as apparatus will bedrawings and the following to that the.

' ing the same thereto.

drel by its rotation in order-to permit the formation of another link in the manner,

above described. As arnatterof fact, the feeding operation of the finished link takes place at the same time that the end of the wire is fed into position to be sheared ofl' to form another workpiece, in order that there will be-no lost motion in the machine operation, it being understood that the operation of the mandrel can take place at any time between the operations seen in Figs. 10 to 12 inclusive. It will also be understood that in the above described operation of raising the tool 44 from the position shown in Fig. 12 to that shown in Fig. 13, the pins 39 and 39 are withdrawn or moved backwardly to permit the upward movement of the workpiece over the outer face of the members 40 and 40. It will, also be understood that after a predetermined number of links have been mountedupon the strand 48 which may be governed by the number of links in on the mounting strand. As soon as all of the blocks 36 have passed over the roller 36 the wire feed mechanism will be returned to its normal or operative position and will continue to feed the wireinto the machine permit the formation of the links.

It will be understood that while I have shown and described the formation of the links of stringers of specific construction, that my improved machine'or apparatus is not necessarily limited to the particular type of link formation herein set out nor am I.

necessarily limited to the specific structure of the several parts of the apparatus .nor the ode or ratio of gearing employed, and various other changes in and modifications of the construction herein shown and described may be made within the scope of the ap-' pended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages. v c

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters .Patent, is v 1. An apparatus of the class described comprising means for feeding a wire strand into the machine, means for shearing I a workpiece from said strand, means for forming loops at the ends of said workpiece, a mandrel, means for bending the workpiece around the mandrel to form a large centra loop therein, means for supporting a mounting strand in parallel relation to said mandrel, and means for. placing the small loops of the workpiece onto said strand and secur- 2. An apparatusof the class described com- \the mandrel to form a large central loop strand in parallel relation ing lateral crimping tools;

rotation of the mandrel therein,means for supporting a" mounting to said mandrel, and means for placing the small loops of the workpiece onto said strand and securing the same thereto, said last named means involv- 3. An apparatus of the class described. comprising means for feeding'a wire strand into the machine, means for shearing a Workpiece from said strand, means for forming loops at the ends of said workpiece, a mandrel, means for bending the workpiecearound the mandrel to form a large central loop therein, means for supporting amounting strand in parallelrelation to said mandrel, and means for placing the small loops; of the workpiece onto said strand and securing the same thereto, said last named. means involving lateral crimping tools, and a vertical punch.

4. An apparatus of the class described comprising means for feeding a wire strand into the machine, means for shearing a workpiece from saidstrand, means for. forming loops at the ends of said workpiece, a mandrel, means for bending the workpiece around the mandrel to form a large central loop therein, means for supporting a mounting strand in parallel relation to said mandrel, means for placing the small loops of the work.- piece onto'said strand and securing the same thereto, said last named means involving lateral crimping tools, and a vertical punch, and said mandrel having a threaded surface on which the workpiece is formed whereby the will feed thefinished workpiece and mounting through the machine.v

5. An apparatusof the class described comprising means for feedin the machine, means for shearing a workpiece from said strand, means for forming loops at the ends of said workpiece, a mandreL-means for bending the workpiece'around the mandrel to form a large central loop therein, means for supporting a mounting strand in parallel re-' the pitch of the threads on the mandrel serv-.

lation to means involving lateral crimping tools, and

a vertical punch, said mandrel having a will feed the finished workpiece and mounting strand outwardly through the machine, an

ing to give the required pitch to the large loop formed in the workpiece. I I a and having a projecting loop portion and for strand outwardly,

a wire strand intosaid mandrel, means for placing the small loops of the workpiece onto said strand and securing the same thereto, said last named- 6. An apparatus of the class described comprising means for feedmga wire strand into the machine, means for shearing a workpiece -means for supporting a mounting strand in parallel relation to said-mandrel, means for placing the small loops of the workpiece onto said strand and securing the same thereto, said last named means involving lateral, crimpin'g tools, and a vertical punch, said mandrel having a threaded surface on whichthe wor piece is formed whereby the rotation of the mandrel will feed the finishedworkpiece and mounting strand outwardly through the machine, and the pitch ofthe threads on the mandrel serving to give the required pitch to the large loop formed in the workpiece, and to properly space said loopswith relation to each other.

7 A machine for forming flexible stringers comprising means for supporting a flexible strand in the machine, and means involving several mechanisms for feeding a wire into the machine, severing a workpiece from said-wire and fashioning the workpiece to form a linkhaving a projecting loop portion and looped endsv pressed onto said strand to 9 the machine, severing a workpiece from said wire and fashioning thewonkpiece to form a, link'mounted on and securedto said strand securing a predetermined. number of such links to the strand with that partof the links on the strand in abutting relation. 9. A machine-for forming flexible stringers comprising means for supporting a flexible strand in the machine, means involving several mechanisms for feeding awire intothe machine, severing a workpiece from said wire and fashioning the workpiece to form a link mounted on and secured to said strand and havmgja pro ectmg loop portion and for sef curing a predetermined number of such links to the strand with that part ofthe links on the strand in abutting relation," and means whereby a blank space of predetermined dimensions maybe formed between separate groups of links secured to said strand.

10. A machine for forming flexible stringer's"comprisingmeans for'supporting a flexible strand in the machine, and means involv-ilg ing several mechanisms for feeding a wire into the machine, severing a workpiece from said wire and fashioning the workpiece to form a link mounted on and secured to said strand and having a-projecting loop portion, 30

1 into the machine,

"ers comprising means for supporting :1 flexible strand in the machine, and means involving several mechanisms for feeding a wire said wire and fashioningthe workpiece to form a link mounted on and secured to said strand and having a projecting loop portion, said mechanisms including a forming tool, a pair of curling tools forming small loops at the ends of the workpiece, and oppositely disposed crimping jaws.

12. A machine for forming flexible stringers comprising means for supporting a flexible strand in the machine, and means involving several mechanisms for feeding a wire into the machine, severing a workpiece from said wire and fashioning the workpiece to form a link mounted on and secured to said strand and hav ng a pro ecting loop portion,

said mechanisms including a formin tool, a pair of curling tools forming small oops at the ends of the workpiece, oppositely disposed crimping jaws, and a punch for securing the small loops to said mounting strand.

13. A machine for forming flexible stringers comprising means for supporting a flexible strand in the machine, and means involving several mechanisms for feeding a wire into the machine, severing a workpiece from said wire and fashioning the workpiece to form a link mounted on and secured to said strand and having a projectin loop portion, said mechanisms including a Forming tool, a pair of curling tools forming small loops at the ends of the workpiece, oppositely disposed crimping jaws, a punch for securing the small loops to said mounting strand, and

a mandrel around which the central portion of the workpiece is passed by said forming tool, producing a large loop in said workpiece.

14. A machine for forming flexible stringers comprising means for supporting a flexible strand in the machine, and means involving several mechanisms for feeding a wire into the machine, severing a workpiece from said wire and fashioning the workpiece to form a link mounted'on and secured to said strand and having a projecting loop portion,

saidmechanisms including a forming tool,

a pair of curling tools forming small loops at the ends of the-workpiece, oppositely disposed,

crimping aws, a punch for securing the small, loops to. said mounting strand, 2. mandrel around which the central portion of. the workpiece is passedby said forming tool, producing a large loop in said workpiece, and means involving a power driven shaft and a plurality of cams on said shaftfor actuating the several mechanisms of the machine. p

15. A machme for formlng'fiexible stringsevering a workpiece from I crs vcomprising means for supporting a flexible strand in the machine, and means invvolving several mechanisms for feeding a wire into the machine, severing a workpiece from said wire and fashioning the workpiece to form a link mounted on and secured to said strand and having a projecting loop portion, said mechanisms meluding a forming tool, a pair of curling tools forming small loops at the ends of the workpiece, oppositely disposed crimping jaws, a punch for securing the small loops to said mounting strand, a mandrel around which the central portion of the workpiece is passed by said forming tool, producing a large loop in said workpiece, means involving a power-driven shaft and a plurality of cams on said shaft for actuating the several mechanisms of the machine, and means in operative connection with said shaft for rotating the mandrel to feed the finished workpiece and'inounting strand outwardly through the machine.

16. In a machine of the class described,

a wire feed mechanism comprising relativelymovable jaws between which the wire to be fed nto the machine 1s pos1tioned, means for closing said aws to engage the wlre and to advance said jaws and wire to bringthe' wireinto predetermined position in the machine in one movement of said mechanlsm.

17. In a machme of the class'described, a

wire feed mechanism comprising relatively.

movable jaws-between which the wire to be fed into the machine is positioned, means for closing said jaws to engage the wire and to advance said jaws and wire to bring the wire into predetermined position inthe machine in one movement of said mechanism, and in the other movement of said mechanism, said jaws are moved into inoperative position and longitudinally of the wire.

18. In a machine of the class described, a wire feed mechanism comprising relatively movable jaws between which the wire to be fed into the machine is positioned, means for closing said jaws to engage the wire and to advance said jaws and wire to bring the wire into predetermined position in the machine in one movement of said mechanism,

and in the other movement of said mechanism, said jaws are moved into inoperative position and longitudinally of the wire, and

means cooperating with said mechanism for retaining the same inv inoperative position be placed, one of the pins of each member being arranged axially 'therof, means for rotating said members in opposite directions to curl the ends of saldwire strand around said axialpins by the other ofsaid pins, to form loops at the end of said strand.

20. In a machine of the class described, a painof rotary, oscillatory membersprovided at one end with pairs of projecting pins between which a strand of wire is adapted to be placed, one of the pins of each member being arranged axiallythercof, means for rotating said members in opposite directions to curl the ends of said wire strand around said axial pinsby the other of said pins, to form loops at the ends of said strand, and means for withdrawing said axial pins to permit of the movement of said strand over the surface the machine. I I

21. In a machineof the class described, a mandrel and feed screw, means for imparting intermittent rotary movement thereto, means for passing a wire strand around said man drcl to form of said strand, a link having a loop therein, and means wherebythe rotation of the mandrel will feed said link out; through the machine. i

mandrel'and feed screw, means for imparting intermittent rotary movement thereto,

means for passing a wire strand aroundsaid I mandrel to form of said strand, a link having a loop therein, means whereby the rotation of the mandrel will feed said link out through the machine, and means for supporting a flexible'strand in juxtaposition to and .longitudinally of the axis of the mandrel.

In a machine of the class described, a mandrel and feed screw, means for imparting intermittent rotary movement thereto, means for passing a wire strand around said mandrel to form of said-strand, a link hav- 7 40 ing a loop therein, means whereby the rotation of the mandrel will feed, said'link out through the machine, means for supporting a flexible strand in juxtaposition to and longitudinally of the axis of the mandrel, and means for compressing portions of the wire strand onto said flexible strand in'the formation of said links.

, 24. A machine of the class described comprising a power driven shaft, a plurality of cams on said shaft, means for intermittently feeding wire into predetermined position in the machine, said means being actuated-by one of the cams on said shaft, and means for straightening the wire fed intothe machine and for applying tension thereto. r

25. A machine of the class described com arisin a )ower driven shaft. a luralit of cams on said shaft, means'for intermittently feeding wire into predetermined position in the machine, said means being actuated by one of the cams on "said shaft, means for cut-t tlng off a predetermined len th of wire to form a workpiece, said means being actuated by another of. said cams, and'a forming tool movable transversely of the longitudinal of said members into a different position in 22. In 'amachinc of the-class described, a

plane of the workpiece and into engagement therewith and adapted to form in the completion of its operation, a large loop centrally of said workpiece, said tool being actuated by another of said cams.

26. A machine of the class described comprising a power driven shaft,a plurality of cams on said shaft, means for intermittently feeding wire into predetermined position in the machine,said means being actuated by one of the cams on said shaft, means for cutting off a predete'rmlned length of wire toform a workpiece, said means being actuated by another of said cams, and means for curling the ends of the workpiece to form small loops on said ends, saidmeans being actuated by another of said cams,

27. A machine of the class'described comprising a power driven shaft, a plurality of,

cams on said shaft, means for intermittently feeding wire into predetermined position in the machine, said means being actuated by 1 ing-a screw portion around which the work piece is folded to form said loop, and means in operative connection with said power driven shaft for imparting intermittent rotary movement to said mandrel to discharge the fashioned workpieces from the machine.

28.. A machine of the class described comprising a power driven shaft, a plurality of cams on said shaft, means for intermittently vfeeding wire into predetermined position in the machine, said means being actuated by one of the cams on said shaft, means for cutting off a predetermined length of wire to form a workpiece, said means being actuated by another of said cams, means for curling the ends of the? workpiece to form small loops on said ends, said means being actuated by another of said cams, a mandrel in connection with which the workpiece and said forming tool operates, said mandrel having a screw portion around which the workpiece -is folded to form said loop, and means in operative connection with said power driven shaft for imparting intermittent rotary movement of said mandrel to discharge the fashioned workpieces from the machine, crimping aws-movable towardand from each other injuxtaposition to the mandrel andadapted to engage'the workpiece to bring the looped ends in common alinement, said jaws being actuated by another of said cams,

and means for supporting a flexible strand in spaced and parallel relation .-to said mandrel and in position to enter the loops of the workpiece when brought together.

' 29. A machine of the class described comprising a power driven shaft, a plurality of cams on said shaft, means for'intermittently having a screw portion around which the workpiece is folded to form said loop, and means in operative connection with said power driven shaft for imparting intermittent rotary movement to said mandrel to discharge the fashioned workpieces from the machine, crimping jaws movable toward andfrom each other in juxtaposition to the mandrel and adapted to engage the workpiece to bring the'looped ends in common alinement, said jaws being actuated by another of said cams, means for supporting a flexible strand in spacedand parallel relation to saidmandrel and in position to enter the loops of j the workpiece when brought together, and

meansinvolvinga punch and said crimping aws for firmly compressing the loops of the workpiece on said mounting strand.

30. A machine of the class described comprising a power driven shaft, a plurality of cams onsaid shaft, means for intermittently feeding wire into predetermined position in the machine, said means being actuated by one of the cams on said shaft, means for cutting off a predetermined length of wire to form a workpiece, said means being actuated by another of said cams, means for curling the ends of the workpiece to form small loops on said ends, said means being actuated by another of said cams, a mandrel in connection with which the workpiece and said forming tool operates, said mandrel having a screw portion around which the workpiece is folded to form said loop, and means in operative connection with said power driven shaft for imparting intermittent rotary movement to said mandrel to discharge thefashioned workpieces from the machine, crimping j'aws movable toward and from each other in juxtaposition to the mandrel and adapted to engage the workpiece to bring the looped ends in common alinement, said jaws being actuated by another of said cams, means for supporting 'afflexible strand in spaced and parallel relation to said mandrel and in position to enter the loops of the workpiece when brought together, and means involving a punch and said crimping jaws for firmly compressing the loops of the workpiece on said "to form' said loop,

mounting strand, said punch being actuated by another ofsaid earns.

31. A machine of the class described comprising a power driven shaft, a plurality of cams on said shaft, means for intermittently feeding wire into predetermined position in the machine, said means being actuated by one of thecams on said shaft, means for cutting off a predetermined length of wire to form a workpiece, said means being actuated by another of said cams, ing the ends of the workpiece to form small loops on said ends, said means being actuated by another of said cams, a,-mandrel in connection with which the workpiece and said forming tool operates, said mandrel having a screw portion around which the workpiece is' folded to form said loop, and means in operative connection with said power driven shaft for imparting intermittent rotary movement tosaid mandrel to discharge the fashioned workpieces from the machine,

vcrimping jaws movable toward and from each ing-with said first named means for rendering the same inoperative for a predetermined number of cycles of operation of the machine.

32. A machine of prising a power driven shaft, a plurality of cams on said shaft, means for intermittently feeding wire into predetermined position in.

the machine, said means being actuated by one of the cams on said shaft, means for cutting off a predetermined'length of .wireito 'form a workpiece,

said means being actuated by another of said'cams, the ends of the workpiece to form small 100 s on said ends, said means being actuated y another of said cams, a mandrel in'connection means for curling.

means for curl- I '90 ends in common alinement, said aws.

means involving a the class described comwith which the workpiece and said forming tool operates, portion around which the workpiece is folded and means in operative connection with, said power driven shaft for imparting intermittent rota movement to said mandrel to discharge the ashioned workpieces from the machine, crimping jaws movable toward andfrom each other in juxtaposition to the mandrel and adapted to engage the workpiece to bring the looped endsin common alinement, said jaws be ng actuated by another of said cams, means for supporting a fiexible strand inspaced and parallel relation to said mandrel and in position to said mandrel having a screw= v crimpin t1on to said mandrehandmeans for actuat-- of said cams, and means for forming a' ring in the central portion of the workpiece prior to the formation ofthe several loops therein,

said means cams.

33. In a machine of the class described, a

being actuated by another of said mandrel, a forming tool movable toward and? from said mandrel, a punch movable toward and from said mandrel in the same plane but opposite direction from that of said forming tool, means for actuating said tool and punch, toward and from each cr mping jaws movable other atopposite sides of and in juxtaposling said jaws,

and rotary oscillatory curling tools disposed at opposite sides of andin the path of travel of said forming tool, and means for rotating said curling tools in opposite I directions.

' employing rotary, oscillatory, curling tools which ployingrota-ry, oscillatory, mg pair'sof pins, of wire. between the of predetermined length, thev ends of which pro ect a predetermined distance beyond the.

strand of wire between '36. Ina

34. In a machine of the class described employing rotary, oscillatory, curling tools having pairs of pins,.means for feeding a strand of wire between the pins of said tools, means for severing the strand to form a workpiece ofpredetermined length, the ends of which project a predetermined distance tions tocurl the ends of said workpiece to form loop members on said ends.

35. In a machine of the class describedaving pairs of pins, means for feeding a means for severing thestrand to form a workpiece of predetermined length, the ends of yond the pins of said tools, means for rotat- 111g said curling tools in opposite directions to curl the ends of said workpiece to form loop members on said ends, and a forming -tool movable between one of the pins of each of said curling tools and adapted to offset the central part of the workpiece in said curl lng operation.

machine ofthe class described em- I curling tools havmeans for feeding astrand for severing the strand to form a workpiece pins of said tools, means for rotating said bers on said ends, a forming tool movable bm tween one of the pins-of each of said'curling tools and adapted -.to offset the central part of tlmworkpieee in said eu'rling operation, a mandrel in the path of said "forming tool,

bers: on said ends, the pins of said tools, b'

pro ect a predetermined distance be- 7 piece are disp ing the looped ends of 3 each other and tobring saidmouiiting strand pins. of said tools, means zploying rotary, ing pairs of pins,

whereby in the advanced tool, the central portion of the workpiece is folded around the mandrel to form a central loop andtthe endloops of the workpiece are disposed in opposite relation. v

37. In a machine of the class described employingzrotary, oscillatory, curling tools having pairs of pins, means for-feeding arstrand of wire between the pins of said tools, means mandrel in the path of said forming tool,

whereby in the advanced movement of said tool, the centralportionof the workpiece is folded around the mandrel to form a central loop and'the end disposed in opposite relation, and means on the mandrel for positioning theworkpiece thereon.

movement of said pins of each of said curling loops of the workpiece are 38. In a machine of the class describedem I 'ploying rotary,.oscillat0ry cfurlingtools havmg pairs of pins, means for feeding a strand of wire between the pins of said tools, means beyond the pms of said tools, and means for f -'rotating said curling *tools in opposite direcof predetermined length, the ends of which or severing the strand to form a workpiece,

project a predetermined distance beyond the" pins of said tools,-n'1eans curling tools in opposite the ends of said workpiece for rotating said directions to curl to form loop mema forming tool movable 'etween one of the pins of ea ing tools and adapted to offset the central part of, the workpiece in said curling operation, a mandrel tool, whereby in the advanced movement of .said tool, the central portion of the workpiece is folded-aroundthe mandrel to form a central loop and the end loops of the workon the mandrel for positioning the workpiece thereon, means for supporting a mounting strand in juxtaposition and parallel relation to the mandrel, and crimping jaws for movwithin said loops.

39.- In a machine oscillatory, curling tools have of predetermined length, the ends of which pins of said tools, means of the class describedemof said curlj in 'tlie path of said forming iio' osed in opposite relation, means.

the workpiece toward v means for feedinga strand 7. .Qflurshgtrvecnthe pmsof d toolsg'means for seVel'mg-thestrand to forma workpiece curling tools in opposite directions to curl the v ends-of said workpiece to form loop members on said ends, a forming tool movable between iao project a predetermined distance beyond the for rotating said around the mandrel tooform a central loop and the end loops of the workpiece are d1S- posed in opposite relation, means on the mandrel for positioning the workpiece there: on, means for supporting a mounting strand in juxtaposition and parallel relation to the mandrel, and crimping jaws for moving the looped ends of the workpiece toward each other and to bring said mounting strand within said loops, and a punch movable at right .angles to said crimping jaws and adapted to engage the loops on said mounting strand to firmly compress the same thereon, and to secure the same thereto.

40, In a machineof the class described em ploying rotary,

oscillatory, curling tools having pairs of pins, means for feeding a strand of wire between the pins of said tools, means for severing the strand to form a workpiece of predetermined length, the ends of which project a predetermined distance beyond the pins of said tools, means for rotating said curling tools in opposite directions to curl the ends of said workpiece to form loop members on said ends, a forming tool movable between one of the pins of each of said curling tools and adapted to offset the central part of the workpiece in said curling operation, a mandrelin the path of said forming tool, whereb in the advanced movement of said tool, the central portion of the workpiece is folded around the mandrel to form a central loop and the end loops of the workpiece are disposed in opposite relation. means on the mandrel for positioning the workpiece thereon, means for supporting a mounting strand in juxtaposition and parallel relation to the mandrel, and crimping jaws for movingthe looped ends of the workpiece toward each other and to bring said mounting strand within said loops, a punch movable at right angles to said crimping jaws and adapted to engage the loops on said mounting strand to firmly compress the same thereon, and to secure the same thereto, and means for intermittently rotating the mandrel to feed the finished workpiece and said mounting strand out through the machine.

41. A machine of the classdescribed comprising a baseplate, aplurality of hearings on said plate, a'power driven shaft mounted in said bearings, means for"intermittently feeding an endless strand ofwire into the machlne, means involving a cam on" said shaft for actuating said wire feeding means,

- fixedjaw, the wire is said wire feeding means involving a lever having a jaw at one end between which and a adapted to be grasped in the feeding of-the wire into prising a base plate,

same in operative position.

'in said bearings,

the machine,

machine'of the class described coma plurality of hearings on said plate, a power driven shaft mounted in said bearings, means for intermittently feeding an endless strand of wire into the machine, means involving a cam on said shaft for actuating said wire feeding means, said Wire feeding means involving a' lever having a jaw at one end between which and a fixed jaw, the wire is adapted to be grasped in the feeding of the wire into the machine, a shoe adapted to be moved into the path of movement of the other end of said lever to retain the same in inoperative position for a predetermined number of cycles of operation of the machine, the means for actuating said shoe being in operative connection with the power driven chain, and a plurality of blocks on said chain for actuating said shoe and for holding the 43. A machine of the class described comprising a base plate, a plurality of bearings on said plate, a power driven shaft mounted in said bearings, means for intermittently feeding an endless strand. of wire into the machine, means involving a cam on said shaft for actuating said wire feeding means, a wire shearing tool adapted to sever workpieces of predetermined length from the wire strand fed into the machine, adjustably supported in a block slidably mounted 1n the machine, and a cam on said driven shaft and in connection with which the block operates for actuating said tool.

44. A machine of the class described comprising a base plate, a plurality of hearings on said plate, a power driven shaft mounted I means for intermittently feeding an-endless strand of Wire into the machine, means involving a cam on said shaft for actuating said wire feeding means, a wire shearing tool adapted to sever workpieces of predetermined length from the wire strand fed into the machine, said tool being adjustably supported ina blockslidably mounted in the machine and a cam-on said driven shaft and in, connection with which the block opcrates for actuating said tool, a forming tool in juxtaposition to said shearing tool and adj ustably supported on a block slidably 1 said tool being 1 mounted in the machine, adapted toengage'the workpiece and to aid shaft and includes an endless said tool being block operates for imparting in forming a loop therein,'and a cam on the a fed into the machine, said in said bearings, means for intermittently feeding an endless strand of 'llOdlltO the machine, means involving a cam on said shaft for actuating said wire feeding means, a wire shearing tool adapted to sever workp eces of predetermined length from the wire strand tool being adjustably supported in a block slidahly mounted in the machine and a cam on said driven shaft and in connection with which the block operatesfo'ractuating said tool, a forming tool in juxtaposition to said shearing-tool and adjustably supported on a block slidably mounted in the machine, said tool being adapted to engage the workpiece and to aid in forming a loop therein, and a cam on the driven shaft, in connection with which the last named block operates for imparting movement to said forming tool, workpiece supporting and curling tools into which the wire strand is fed,'means 1n operative connection with another cam onsaid drive shaft to engage the workpieceand to aid in form shaft, in connection with which the lastfor imparting ,1 rotary, oscillatory movement to said curling tools in opposite directions for forming small loops on the en-dsof the workpiece, and said forming'tools including means for rel'easing'the workpiece after the small loops have been formed therein. I

46. A machine of the class described comprising ,a base plate,a'plurality of hearings on said plate, a power driven shaft mounted in said bearings, means for intermittently feeding an endless strand of wire into the mae'hine,means involving'a cam on said shaft for actuating said wire feeding meansta wire shearing tooladapted to sever workpieces of predetermined length from the wire strand f fed .into the machine, said tool being adjustably supported in a block slidably mounted in the machine and a cam on said driven shaft and in connection with "which the'block operates for actuating said tool, a forming tool in juxtaposition to. said shearing tool and adj ustably supported on a block slidably mounted in the machine, said tool beingadapted mg a loopytherein, and a vcam on the driven named block operates for, imparting move.- ment' to said forming tool, workpiece fsupporting andcurling tools intowhich the wire strand is fed, means inoperative connection with another cam on said drive shaft for imparting rotary, oscillatory movement to said 7 curling tools in opposite directions for forming small loops on the'ends of the workpiece, and said formingtools' including means for releasing the work 'iece a fterthe small loops have been formed t erein, a man'- drel supported in the path of movement of said forming tool and around which the wire is passed by said forming tool to forma large central loop in said workpiece, and said mandrel having a threaded portion on which the workpiece is fashioned whereby when a complete link is formed of'said workpiece the same may be discharged from themachine by the rotation of said mandrel.

v 47. A machine of the class described, comprising a base plate, a plurality ofbearings 011 said plate, a power driven shaft mounted in said bearings, means for intermittently feeding an endless strand of wire intothe machine,means involving a cam on said shaft for actuating said wire feeding means, a wire shearing tool adapted to'sever workpieces;

of predetermined length from the-wire strand fed into the machine, said tool being adjustably supported. in a block slidablymounted in the machine and a cam on said driven shaft and in connection with which the block operates for actuating said tool, a forming tool in juxtaposition to said shearing tool and adjustablysupported on a block mounted in the machine, said tool being adapted to engage the workpiece and to aidin forming a loop therein, and acam on the slidably driven shaft, in connection with whichthe last named block operates for imparting movement to said forming tool, workpiece supporting andicurling tools into which the Wire strandis fed, means in operative connection with another cam on said driven shaft for imparting rotary, oscillatory movement to said curling-tools in opposite directions for formingsmall loops on the ends ofthe workpiece, and said forming tools including means for. releasing the workpiece" after the small loops have been formed therein,'a mandrel supported in the path of movement of said forming tool and around'which the .wire is passed by said forming tool to form a large central loop in said work-piece, and said mandrel having a threaded portion on which the workpiece is fashionedwhereby when a'complete link is formed of. said work-' piece the same may be discharged from the machine by therotation of said mandrel, and

means involvinga rack actuated by a cam on v the power driven shaft for impartingintersaid mandrel.

48. A machine of the class described com I prising abase plate, a lurality of hearings on said plate, a power riven shaft mounted insaid. bearin s, me ans for intermittentlyfeeding an on less strand of. wire into the machine, means involving a cam on'said shaft for actuating said wire feeding means, a'-

wire shearin 'tool adapted to sever work.- pieces of pre etermined length from the wire strand fed into the machine, adjustably supported in a driven shaft and inconnection with which slidably mounted in the machine,;said tool being adapted to engage the workpiece andno, mittent rotary movement in one direction to J ing to aid informing a loop therein, and a cam on the driven shaft in connection with which to said-curling tools in opposite directions for forming small loops onthe ends of the workpiece, and said forming tools including means for releasing the workpiece after the small loops have been formed therein, a mandrel supported in the path of movement of said forming tool and around which the wire is passed by said forming tool to form a large central loop in said workpiece, and said mandrel having a threaded portion on which the workpiece is fashioned whereby when a complete link is formed of said workpiece, the same maybe discharged from the machine by the rotation of said mandrel, means involva rack actuated by a cam on the power driven shaft for imparting intermittent rotary movement in one directionto said mandrel, said last named means including a shaft supported in the bearings of the machine, and geared to said mandrel, a clutch collar on said shaft, and a pinion actuated by said rack and cooperating with said clutch collar for rotating said shaft in one direction only.

49. A machine of the class described comprising a base plate, a plurality of bearings on said plate, a; power driven shaft mounted in said. bearings, means for intermittently feeding an endless strand of wire into the machine, means involving a cam on said shaft for actuating said shearing tool adapted to sever workpieces of redetermined length from the wire strand fed 'into the machine, said tool being adjustably supported in a' block slidably mounted in the machine and 'a cam on said driven shaft ed in the machine,

and in connection with which the block operates for actuating said tool, a forming tool in juxtaposition to sa1d shearing tool and adjustably supported on ablock slidably mountsaid tool being adapted to] engage the workpiece and to aid. in forming a. loop therein, and a cam on formed therein,

the driven shaft in connection with which the last named block operates for imparting movement to said forming tool, workpiece supporting and curling tools into which the wire strand is fed,

means in operative connection with another cam on said driven shaft" for imparting rotary, oscillatorymovement to said curling tools in op osite directions for forming small loops on t 0 ends of the workpiece, and said formin tools including means for releasing the wor piece after the small loops have been a mandrel supported in the path of movement of said forming tool and around which'the wire is passed by said forming tool to form a large central loop in wire feeding means, a wire ing a plurality of workpiece, and said mandrel having a; threaded portion on which the workpiece is fashioned whereby when a complete link is formed of said workpiece, the same may be discharged from the machine by the rotation of said mandrel, meansinvolving a rack actuated by a cam on' the power driven shaft for imparting intermittent rotary movement in one direction to said mandrel, said last named means including a shaft supported in. the bearings of the machine and geared to said mandrel, a clutch collar on said shaft and a pinion actuated by said rack and cooperating with said clutch collar for rotating said shaft'in one direction only,means for supporting a flexible strand in spaced and parallel relation to the mandrel and in position to be engaged by the small loops of the workpiece, and means for moving said small loops onto said strand and for compressing the same thereon to fixedly retain the same in con-- nection therewith. 50. A machine for forming flegible stringers comprising means for supporting a flexi-- ble strand in the machine, and means inoperated said strand to firmly secure the same thereto,

and including means for feeding the links and strand outwardly through the machine,

"the links being arranged in groups on said strand, and means controlling the formation of spaces on said strand between said groups.

v 52. A machine for forming flexible stringers comprising means for supporting a fiex ible strandin the machine and means involvs'uccessively operated tools for forming links and for securing said links to said strand, and including means for feed ing the links and strand outwardly through the machine, the links being. arranged in groups on said strand, and means controllin the formation of spaces on said strand, said last named means also controlling the number of links'in each group on said strand.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as for feeding the my invention I have signed my name this 30th 

